During the World Series, the Bomber's agreed to a deal to bring heavyweight slugger, 31 Chance Everett into the mix.
Everett the owner of 106 career home runs brings with him a bonafide ABL resume with him to South Carolina. The Bombers become Everett's 5th team in 3 full seasons, but could quite possibly be his last ABL stop. Chance is under contract for this upcoming season, 2015, and under a team option in 2016.
Everett becomes a legitimate force in the middle of the Bomber lineup that already features Orlando Bustamante, Gunner Smart, Stephen Jackson and rookie phenom Roy O'Quinn.
Going to SoCal will be rookie CF'er Ken Forryan, former 2013 1st Round Draft Choice, and 20 year old, 2B Rick Grant. Coming back to South Carolina will be 24 year old reliever Joe "Psych" Ward.
Ward has shown exceptional numbers in AAA over the last two seasons and should offer the Bombers much needed depth in trying to contain the out of control bullpen results that have been seen over the last 3 seasons.
GM Gary Altman has said, "The bullpen and starting rotation remain a concern and will be, until significant has been realized. Offensively, we believe we are as good as any team in the Billy Martin Division right now and that's all we have to concern ourselves with to get where we want to be.
Other deals will be explored strengthening our organizational depth and there does appear to be a Starting Pitcher or two that could be on the market that would be very attractive to us. Ownership has stepped up and given us an additional $7M, and based on revenue sharing we will have another 4M to push out towards payroll.
The Bomber's will also be exploring other trading partners to see if we can move some of our surplus to fill other needs."
2015 looks to be a season of great promise for the Bombers.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Bustamante named Bomber MVP
As the World Series is under way between Las Vegas and Nottinghamshire we will take this moment to review our season. Granted, it's not as glamorous as being on the National Stage, but we feel as if we're moving in the right direction here in South Carolina.
Earlier today, GM Gary Altman announced that the 2014 Team MVP was Orlando Bustamante.
Bustamante had a career season in 2014.
For his third season in a row, Bustamante saw his battering average remain over 300 (.305 career) by hitting .301 in 2014 (.312 in '12, ..303 in '13)
Bustamante was also the first Bomber to play in all 162 games in a season this year. Last year he played in 161 games. He's become quite the iron man! All in all, Bustamante sits at 462 games played as a Bomber and leads Gunner Smart by 29 games played.
Orlando could also be called the Hit Man as he lead the team with 195 hits, 2nd all time on the Bombers single season list behind his own 197 hits in 2013. All told, Bustamante has 560 Career hits with SC and Stephen "Action" Jackson is second with 492.
This season, 2014, saw our first 100 RBI player. Orlando Bustamante finished with 101 RBI's playing an entire season with South Carolina. This needs mentioning because in 2012, SC acquired Jayson O'Neill from Kansas City and between both teams he landed exactly on 100 RBI's.. The 101 RBI's surpassed Bustamante's own personal record of 96 set in 2013.
The final record that Bustamante wishes he didn't set would be for strikeouts in a season. He broke his own record of 141 set in '13 with 147 this past season. He is the SC all time strikeout guy with 415, 98 more than the #2 Gunner Smart
In other categories:
Gunner Smart set the all time Bomber record for Run Scored in a season with 97. The previous record was 91 set in '13 by Jackson. Smart sits in 3rd place with 242 for his career behind Jackson's 255 and Bustamante's 254.
Rookie Martin Evans burst onto the scene and "stole" the show. Evans shattered the single season SB record of 17 (set by Kirby Andrews and Dave Collins in 2012) with a whopping 39! Projections showed him pushing 50 but he was sidelined with a hamstring issue for the last 6 weeks of the season. Oddly enough, Evans single season production also sets him first on the All Time Bomber SB List. Smart sits in 2nd place now with 26.
When you lead a life of crime, sometimes you get caught. Sometimes you get caught so much that you set the single season record for being caught. Evans owns this record now with 13 as well.
Dave Nicholson set the Bomber record for Wins in a season with 14. This topped Jeremy Rogers 13 set in 2013, and Nicholson is now the All Time Leading Bomber in Wins with 28 for his career.
Nicholson also tied the franchise single season record for losses with 16 (Cecil Gibbons, in 2012). Nicholson leads in the All Time category as well, with 36, ahead of Gibbons who has 30.
Nicholson now owns the Single Season and Franchise records for:
Games Started (34 & 78), Complete Games (5 & 5), Shutouts (2 & 2), Innings Pitched (224 & 499),
as well as Hits Allowed (213 & 485), Strikeouts (135 & 306)
Free Agent acquisition, in his first year with the Bombers, Charlie Arnold set the Single Season Saves record with 23. Arnold now sits in 2nd place for the Bomber Franchise record, just 12 behind Bob Robinson's 35 Bomber saves.
Earlier today, GM Gary Altman announced that the 2014 Team MVP was Orlando Bustamante.
Bustamante had a career season in 2014.
For his third season in a row, Bustamante saw his battering average remain over 300 (.305 career) by hitting .301 in 2014 (.312 in '12, ..303 in '13)
Bustamante was also the first Bomber to play in all 162 games in a season this year. Last year he played in 161 games. He's become quite the iron man! All in all, Bustamante sits at 462 games played as a Bomber and leads Gunner Smart by 29 games played.
Orlando could also be called the Hit Man as he lead the team with 195 hits, 2nd all time on the Bombers single season list behind his own 197 hits in 2013. All told, Bustamante has 560 Career hits with SC and Stephen "Action" Jackson is second with 492.
This season, 2014, saw our first 100 RBI player. Orlando Bustamante finished with 101 RBI's playing an entire season with South Carolina. This needs mentioning because in 2012, SC acquired Jayson O'Neill from Kansas City and between both teams he landed exactly on 100 RBI's.. The 101 RBI's surpassed Bustamante's own personal record of 96 set in 2013.
The final record that Bustamante wishes he didn't set would be for strikeouts in a season. He broke his own record of 141 set in '13 with 147 this past season. He is the SC all time strikeout guy with 415, 98 more than the #2 Gunner Smart
In other categories:
Gunner Smart set the all time Bomber record for Run Scored in a season with 97. The previous record was 91 set in '13 by Jackson. Smart sits in 3rd place with 242 for his career behind Jackson's 255 and Bustamante's 254.
Rookie Martin Evans burst onto the scene and "stole" the show. Evans shattered the single season SB record of 17 (set by Kirby Andrews and Dave Collins in 2012) with a whopping 39! Projections showed him pushing 50 but he was sidelined with a hamstring issue for the last 6 weeks of the season. Oddly enough, Evans single season production also sets him first on the All Time Bomber SB List. Smart sits in 2nd place now with 26.
When you lead a life of crime, sometimes you get caught. Sometimes you get caught so much that you set the single season record for being caught. Evans owns this record now with 13 as well.
Dave Nicholson set the Bomber record for Wins in a season with 14. This topped Jeremy Rogers 13 set in 2013, and Nicholson is now the All Time Leading Bomber in Wins with 28 for his career.
Nicholson also tied the franchise single season record for losses with 16 (Cecil Gibbons, in 2012). Nicholson leads in the All Time category as well, with 36, ahead of Gibbons who has 30.
Nicholson now owns the Single Season and Franchise records for:
Games Started (34 & 78), Complete Games (5 & 5), Shutouts (2 & 2), Innings Pitched (224 & 499),
as well as Hits Allowed (213 & 485), Strikeouts (135 & 306)
Free Agent acquisition, in his first year with the Bombers, Charlie Arnold set the Single Season Saves record with 23. Arnold now sits in 2nd place for the Bomber Franchise record, just 12 behind Bob Robinson's 35 Bomber saves.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
2014 Season in Review
Another overall disappointing season, from a team perspective, securing a 68-94 record and dropping back to a 4th place finish for the second time in three seasons.
However, fans saw a glimmer of what is to come, with a few trades that were made either before the season or during. The players mentioned below made their ABL debut with the Bombers this past season and are expected to hold down a full time job in 2015.
Injuries, while a part of the game, decimated the team through all levels, but injuries gave players a chance to shine, maybe even sooner than originally planned and anticipated.
The Bombers acquired Jeremy "Cushion" Fisher for Juan Marin during the off-season. What was perceived at the time as a salary dump, was actually used to strengthen the rotation and give it depth. Fisher was called up on 8/23, due to John "Flipper" Martin being placed on the DL, for a second time this season, started 9 games and finished the season 4-2 with a respectable 4.30 ERA. The 21 year old SP showed great promise and will force the Bombers to make a decision about him going north after Spring Training.
Another beneficiary of the Marin trade was CF'er Martin Evans. Evans, developed rather splendidly, moving up in the organization a level at a time. In 2013 Evans raked to a tune of .333 with 91 BB's, 45 SB's, a whopping .442 OB and a 57.6 VORP.
In Evans' rookie season with the Bombers, primarily batting leadoff, the 25 year old hit .270, with 34 BB, and 39 SB's. Those SB's easily lead all rookies (Mark Reid, JAX second with 14), and is a leading candidate for Rookie of the Year. He pulled a hamstring on the same day Fisher made his debut (8/23) and was finished for the season. Evans finished 5th in the TML for SB's, and 8th in the ABL. Finally, Evans' Gold Glove defense was something that was sorely missed in the South Carolina's first two seasons. His production is what made Marin expendable, and allowed the team to take some criticism for moving the popular Marin.
Roy "ROQ (pronounced ROCK)" O'Quinn, received from Texas in the Rogers/Nelson trade might go down as biggest trade the Bombers will ever make. On June 30th the trade was consummated. O'Quinn, stunned that he was leaving the Texas organization was absolutely floored when he was summoned from AAA and immediately inserted into LF where he would be in the lineup a majority of time. On July 8th, ROQ hit his first ABL HR, at 21 years old. Roy was a key player received when the decision was made to move one of the Young Guns. ROQ plays a quality LF but his bat is what Fast-Tracked him to the ABL. ROQ would have been a solid Rookie of the Year candidate if he would have played the full season in the ABL. In just 85 games, ROQ amassed 16 HR's, 61 RBI's and 58 RS, as well as 13 SB's. For the season, combined AAA and ABL numbers Roy hit 38 HRs, 112 RBI's and 111 RS. O'Quinn is a superstar in the making.
Another player received in the Rogers trade was SS Stephen Cook. Cook, 25, and on July 21st, against Cabo San Lucas, Cook singled in his very first at bat in the ABL. Of course he was promptly thrown out trying to steal 2nd base, but that didn't take away from the excitement he brought to the Bombers. In 64 games, Cook hit at a .295 clip, got on base at .356 rate and over all had a .728 OPS to go along with 9 SB's, 20 RBI's and 30 RS. Cook batted 9th vs RHP's and leadoff vs., LHP's and gave a little more offensive output than Angelo Casas the 2013 Gold Glove winner, and adequate defense. Cook might or might not stay at SS for his career, but for the foreseeable future looks to be a part of the Bomber infield for quite a while.
C, Stu "Thurman" Yarbrough, 22 years old was summoned from AAA on June 3rd against the Las Vegas Jokers. Stu went 1 for 5 in his debut and was steady behind the plate. Stu would have needed to have been put on the 40 Man Roster in the off season due to Rule V requirements, but with him spending the parts of 2012, 13 and 14 in AAA ownership felt he was ready for the ABL. With Jayson O'Neill mired in a slump from the beginning of the season it seemed logical to just get Stu ABL experience now. Yarbrough, hit 13 HR's, 53 RBI's and a .243 Avg in just 101 games. His VORP in 2/3's of season was 14.2
SP, Reijiro "Hit Squad" Yamaguchi was the third player from the Texas trade to make the ABL. Yamaguchi was pressed into service because of some injuries and lack of performance by other members of the staff. While the ERA of 6.40 was much higher than what we expect of an ABL SP, the 500 record (5-5) for a team that finished 28 games under 500 showed that this kid is a gamer. In 64 IP he needs to work on a few aspects of his game, but will be given a shot in ST to win himself a role in the rotation. If not, his numbers translate very well to a role in the bullpen to hone his craft. Either way, it is anticipated that Yamaguchi makes the Opening Day 25.
Players that will have a shot to earn a spot onto the ABL roster from AAA out of Spring Training will be the 4th and 5th players from Texas, 2B Walt Dobson and CL Jose Parra. Also MR Glen Rush, MR Hiroaki Ine, and LF Eugene White.
Should be an exciting time in South Carolina over the next season!
However, fans saw a glimmer of what is to come, with a few trades that were made either before the season or during. The players mentioned below made their ABL debut with the Bombers this past season and are expected to hold down a full time job in 2015.
Injuries, while a part of the game, decimated the team through all levels, but injuries gave players a chance to shine, maybe even sooner than originally planned and anticipated.
The Bombers acquired Jeremy "Cushion" Fisher for Juan Marin during the off-season. What was perceived at the time as a salary dump, was actually used to strengthen the rotation and give it depth. Fisher was called up on 8/23, due to John "Flipper" Martin being placed on the DL, for a second time this season, started 9 games and finished the season 4-2 with a respectable 4.30 ERA. The 21 year old SP showed great promise and will force the Bombers to make a decision about him going north after Spring Training.
Another beneficiary of the Marin trade was CF'er Martin Evans. Evans, developed rather splendidly, moving up in the organization a level at a time. In 2013 Evans raked to a tune of .333 with 91 BB's, 45 SB's, a whopping .442 OB and a 57.6 VORP.
In Evans' rookie season with the Bombers, primarily batting leadoff, the 25 year old hit .270, with 34 BB, and 39 SB's. Those SB's easily lead all rookies (Mark Reid, JAX second with 14), and is a leading candidate for Rookie of the Year. He pulled a hamstring on the same day Fisher made his debut (8/23) and was finished for the season. Evans finished 5th in the TML for SB's, and 8th in the ABL. Finally, Evans' Gold Glove defense was something that was sorely missed in the South Carolina's first two seasons. His production is what made Marin expendable, and allowed the team to take some criticism for moving the popular Marin.
Roy "ROQ (pronounced ROCK)" O'Quinn, received from Texas in the Rogers/Nelson trade might go down as biggest trade the Bombers will ever make. On June 30th the trade was consummated. O'Quinn, stunned that he was leaving the Texas organization was absolutely floored when he was summoned from AAA and immediately inserted into LF where he would be in the lineup a majority of time. On July 8th, ROQ hit his first ABL HR, at 21 years old. Roy was a key player received when the decision was made to move one of the Young Guns. ROQ plays a quality LF but his bat is what Fast-Tracked him to the ABL. ROQ would have been a solid Rookie of the Year candidate if he would have played the full season in the ABL. In just 85 games, ROQ amassed 16 HR's, 61 RBI's and 58 RS, as well as 13 SB's. For the season, combined AAA and ABL numbers Roy hit 38 HRs, 112 RBI's and 111 RS. O'Quinn is a superstar in the making.
Another player received in the Rogers trade was SS Stephen Cook. Cook, 25, and on July 21st, against Cabo San Lucas, Cook singled in his very first at bat in the ABL. Of course he was promptly thrown out trying to steal 2nd base, but that didn't take away from the excitement he brought to the Bombers. In 64 games, Cook hit at a .295 clip, got on base at .356 rate and over all had a .728 OPS to go along with 9 SB's, 20 RBI's and 30 RS. Cook batted 9th vs RHP's and leadoff vs., LHP's and gave a little more offensive output than Angelo Casas the 2013 Gold Glove winner, and adequate defense. Cook might or might not stay at SS for his career, but for the foreseeable future looks to be a part of the Bomber infield for quite a while.
C, Stu "Thurman" Yarbrough, 22 years old was summoned from AAA on June 3rd against the Las Vegas Jokers. Stu went 1 for 5 in his debut and was steady behind the plate. Stu would have needed to have been put on the 40 Man Roster in the off season due to Rule V requirements, but with him spending the parts of 2012, 13 and 14 in AAA ownership felt he was ready for the ABL. With Jayson O'Neill mired in a slump from the beginning of the season it seemed logical to just get Stu ABL experience now. Yarbrough, hit 13 HR's, 53 RBI's and a .243 Avg in just 101 games. His VORP in 2/3's of season was 14.2
SP, Reijiro "Hit Squad" Yamaguchi was the third player from the Texas trade to make the ABL. Yamaguchi was pressed into service because of some injuries and lack of performance by other members of the staff. While the ERA of 6.40 was much higher than what we expect of an ABL SP, the 500 record (5-5) for a team that finished 28 games under 500 showed that this kid is a gamer. In 64 IP he needs to work on a few aspects of his game, but will be given a shot in ST to win himself a role in the rotation. If not, his numbers translate very well to a role in the bullpen to hone his craft. Either way, it is anticipated that Yamaguchi makes the Opening Day 25.
Players that will have a shot to earn a spot onto the ABL roster from AAA out of Spring Training will be the 4th and 5th players from Texas, 2B Walt Dobson and CL Jose Parra. Also MR Glen Rush, MR Hiroaki Ine, and LF Eugene White.
Should be an exciting time in South Carolina over the next season!
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Two New Baby Bombers Debut
The transformation of the South Carolina Bombers is making great strides.
The mindset this year was to shed useless contracts and become fiscally more responsible. Also it was to develop talent that would either be here long term or bring pieces of the puzzle into South Carolina.
We've seen the trades of Marin, and Rogers and what they've brought, and now it's time to reap some of the benefits. Jeremy "Cushion" Fisher, 21 years old got the call up when Martin came down with a stiff neck. In his two ABL starts he's 2-0 with a 3.60 ERA. He's gone 15 innings, struck out 11, walked 3 and has a WHIP of a modest 1.33
The next Baby Bomber called up was Ken Forryan, 23 year old CF'er. Forryan was called up when Martin Evans pulled a hamstring ending his rookie season. Forryan was on the 40 Man Roster, so there was no roster move necessitated for his arrival.
In his 6 ABL games patrolling CF, Forryan is hitting .400, going 6 for 15 with 7 runs scored, 4 RBI's, 4 BB's and 2 doubles, while going 4 for 4 in SB attempts.
Forryan was drafted in the 1st Round of the 2012 Draft, 3rd overall.
OTHER NEWS and NOTES:
On August 27th, Orlando Bustamante became the first Bomber to hit for the cycle, in a 10-7 loss to the Minnesota Berserkers.
Bustamante's feat will be commemorated in front of the home fans with a small ceremony before the game against Kansas City on Sept 12th.
Rookie phenom, Roy O'Quinn, was honored by the Thurman Munson League with Player of the Week honors! O'Quinn hit a robust .560 for the week with 1 HR and 13 RBI's. O'Quinn is making some noise in the ABL as well. In just two months at this elite level, RO'Q (pronounced ROCK by his teammates) has hit 11 HR's, knocked in 44 runs and is hitting .225
Lots of great things are expected in South Carolina as they've come off their first 500 month (August 2014) since the 2012 season, and have played passionately going just 2 games under 500 since July 1st (25-27 Record).
The mindset this year was to shed useless contracts and become fiscally more responsible. Also it was to develop talent that would either be here long term or bring pieces of the puzzle into South Carolina.
We've seen the trades of Marin, and Rogers and what they've brought, and now it's time to reap some of the benefits. Jeremy "Cushion" Fisher, 21 years old got the call up when Martin came down with a stiff neck. In his two ABL starts he's 2-0 with a 3.60 ERA. He's gone 15 innings, struck out 11, walked 3 and has a WHIP of a modest 1.33
The next Baby Bomber called up was Ken Forryan, 23 year old CF'er. Forryan was called up when Martin Evans pulled a hamstring ending his rookie season. Forryan was on the 40 Man Roster, so there was no roster move necessitated for his arrival.
In his 6 ABL games patrolling CF, Forryan is hitting .400, going 6 for 15 with 7 runs scored, 4 RBI's, 4 BB's and 2 doubles, while going 4 for 4 in SB attempts.
Forryan was drafted in the 1st Round of the 2012 Draft, 3rd overall.
OTHER NEWS and NOTES:
On August 27th, Orlando Bustamante became the first Bomber to hit for the cycle, in a 10-7 loss to the Minnesota Berserkers.
Bustamante's feat will be commemorated in front of the home fans with a small ceremony before the game against Kansas City on Sept 12th.
Rookie phenom, Roy O'Quinn, was honored by the Thurman Munson League with Player of the Week honors! O'Quinn hit a robust .560 for the week with 1 HR and 13 RBI's. O'Quinn is making some noise in the ABL as well. In just two months at this elite level, RO'Q (pronounced ROCK by his teammates) has hit 11 HR's, knocked in 44 runs and is hitting .225
Lots of great things are expected in South Carolina as they've come off their first 500 month (August 2014) since the 2012 season, and have played passionately going just 2 games under 500 since July 1st (25-27 Record).
Monday, March 11, 2013
Well, It's Time.
Earlier this month, the Bombers moved one of their prized pitching studs to strengthen what has shown to be weak areas at the ABL Level, SS, 2B, RF, CL, getting a SP back as well.
Well, now it's the kids time to shine! They will be getting ABL playing time this year setting them and the Bombers for next season!
Coming into the 2014 season CF and RF were concerns for the Bombers, especially when Juan Marin was traded off because of salary.
CF was given to rookie Martin Evans, who appears to be a finalist for Rookie of the Year in a class where there is no clear cut favorite.
LF was Stephen Jackson who the team is committed to building around. He's a fan favorite and does everything manager Gary Altman asks of him. This year he's slumped a bit we're expecting a big step up the last two months of this season that will parlay itself into next season.
RF was to be manned by Free Agent signing Miguel Torres, but Torres didn't hit consistently enough to maintain the job, and found himself riding the pine.
Roy O'Quinn was recently acquire in the Rogers trade (you'll be hearing this often), and will be playing LF for the Bombers for the remainder of this season and to start next season as well. O'Quinn is finding himself to be a nuisance to opposing pitchers who make mistakes in the strike zone. He's hit 9 HR's and has 23 RBI's in 35 games. Over the course of a full season O'Quinn would be pushing close to 40 HR's..
Coming up next year could be 2012 1st Rd Draft Choice Ken Forryan, who will be pushing someone for playing time!
DH Orlando Bustamante has been the model of consistency here in South Carolina and fans absolutely adore him.
Fernando Guzman, 1B suffered thru a little sophomore slump and found himself starting the season in AAA. He's back in the ABL now and is expected to deliver the results that management expected from him all along.
Stephen Cook, another key piece received from Texas is poised to take the SS position from Angelo Casas, the 2013 TML Gold Glove Winner at SS. Casas struggles at the plate is more what forced this trade than any one other thing. (Dobson in AAA, 23, is still developing - no rush to call him up).
3B Gunner Smart is having himself another steady and productive season. and is also a fan favorite.
C Stu Yarbrough also made his ABL debut this season and displaced Jayson O'Neill as the Bomber backstop. Yarbrough offers more power, an equal batting average and superior defensive skills. Our scout has been bitching to get Stu called up, and Altman finally relented and has been rewarded ever since. All Stu needs to do is raise his average, and he's only 21 years old.
Offensively 2B becomes the focal point. Rumors surrounding Mario Antonio will be that his team option will not be picked up at the end of the season. Supposedly there is an agreement in place between the player's agent and the GM but no one will confirm.
Next year's candidates are going to be Mike Rogers, Rick Grant, Walt Dobson and Anthony Bailey.
The rotation next season looks like it could be one of the best 1-5's in the league. No pressure there. We'll settle for consistent.
Martin, Yamaguchi, Gibbons, Nicholson make up a great 1-4. Then for the 5th spot we have Ratzlaff, Mike Joyce, Tom O'Halloran, Jeremy Fisher, and in AA Aaron Harris (2013 1st Rd Draft Choice).
The bullpen has help coming. Charlie Arnold is under contract one more season. Mike Hamilton has proved formidable in filling in for Arnold or setting him up. John Ward and Joseph Williams performed great for the first 4 months of the season, however, when fatigued, they get clubbed. Nick Jones and Kevin Rutledge are expected to mature and add depth to this bullpen. But there is also potential help at AAA. Jose Parra, Jose Carreon are two studs that should make the club sometime in 2015! Stuart Lang and Glen Rush as well as Japenese veteran Hiroaki Ine are poised for a possible call up this season. Based on those pending promotions, Bryan Mifflen, Eric Potter, Millard Joseph and Roger Marshall can all be brought along very deliberately.
If none of them will be the solution next season South Carolina is poised to see their budget increase by 10M and have cash reserves of another 10M, making an impact FA signing within the realm of chance.
Well, now it's the kids time to shine! They will be getting ABL playing time this year setting them and the Bombers for next season!
Coming into the 2014 season CF and RF were concerns for the Bombers, especially when Juan Marin was traded off because of salary.
CF was given to rookie Martin Evans, who appears to be a finalist for Rookie of the Year in a class where there is no clear cut favorite.
LF was Stephen Jackson who the team is committed to building around. He's a fan favorite and does everything manager Gary Altman asks of him. This year he's slumped a bit we're expecting a big step up the last two months of this season that will parlay itself into next season.
RF was to be manned by Free Agent signing Miguel Torres, but Torres didn't hit consistently enough to maintain the job, and found himself riding the pine.
Roy O'Quinn was recently acquire in the Rogers trade (you'll be hearing this often), and will be playing LF for the Bombers for the remainder of this season and to start next season as well. O'Quinn is finding himself to be a nuisance to opposing pitchers who make mistakes in the strike zone. He's hit 9 HR's and has 23 RBI's in 35 games. Over the course of a full season O'Quinn would be pushing close to 40 HR's..
Coming up next year could be 2012 1st Rd Draft Choice Ken Forryan, who will be pushing someone for playing time!
DH Orlando Bustamante has been the model of consistency here in South Carolina and fans absolutely adore him.
Fernando Guzman, 1B suffered thru a little sophomore slump and found himself starting the season in AAA. He's back in the ABL now and is expected to deliver the results that management expected from him all along.
Stephen Cook, another key piece received from Texas is poised to take the SS position from Angelo Casas, the 2013 TML Gold Glove Winner at SS. Casas struggles at the plate is more what forced this trade than any one other thing. (Dobson in AAA, 23, is still developing - no rush to call him up).
3B Gunner Smart is having himself another steady and productive season. and is also a fan favorite.
C Stu Yarbrough also made his ABL debut this season and displaced Jayson O'Neill as the Bomber backstop. Yarbrough offers more power, an equal batting average and superior defensive skills. Our scout has been bitching to get Stu called up, and Altman finally relented and has been rewarded ever since. All Stu needs to do is raise his average, and he's only 21 years old.
Offensively 2B becomes the focal point. Rumors surrounding Mario Antonio will be that his team option will not be picked up at the end of the season. Supposedly there is an agreement in place between the player's agent and the GM but no one will confirm.
Next year's candidates are going to be Mike Rogers, Rick Grant, Walt Dobson and Anthony Bailey.
The rotation next season looks like it could be one of the best 1-5's in the league. No pressure there. We'll settle for consistent.
Martin, Yamaguchi, Gibbons, Nicholson make up a great 1-4. Then for the 5th spot we have Ratzlaff, Mike Joyce, Tom O'Halloran, Jeremy Fisher, and in AA Aaron Harris (2013 1st Rd Draft Choice).
The bullpen has help coming. Charlie Arnold is under contract one more season. Mike Hamilton has proved formidable in filling in for Arnold or setting him up. John Ward and Joseph Williams performed great for the first 4 months of the season, however, when fatigued, they get clubbed. Nick Jones and Kevin Rutledge are expected to mature and add depth to this bullpen. But there is also potential help at AAA. Jose Parra, Jose Carreon are two studs that should make the club sometime in 2015! Stuart Lang and Glen Rush as well as Japenese veteran Hiroaki Ine are poised for a possible call up this season. Based on those pending promotions, Bryan Mifflen, Eric Potter, Millard Joseph and Roger Marshall can all be brought along very deliberately.
If none of them will be the solution next season South Carolina is poised to see their budget increase by 10M and have cash reserves of another 10M, making an impact FA signing within the realm of chance.
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